glycogen

[ glahy-kuh-juhn, -jen ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a white, tasteless polysaccharide, (C 6 H 10 O 5 ) n , molecularly similar to starch, constituting the principal carbohydrate storage material in animals and occurring chiefly in the liver, in muscle, and in fungi and yeasts.

glycogen

/ -dʒɛn; ˈɡlaɪkəʊdʒən; ˌɡlaɪkəʊˈdʒɛnɪk /

noun

1. a polysaccharide consisting of glucose units: the form in which carbohydrate is stored in the liver and muscles in man and animals. It can easily be hydrolysed to glucose Also calledanimal starch

glycogen

/ glī′kə-jən /

1. A polysaccharide stored in animal liver and muscle cells that is easily converted to glucose to meet metabolic energy requirements. Most of the carbohydrate energy stored in animal cells is in the form of glycogen.

Derived Forms

• glycogenic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of glycogen¹

First recorded in 1855–60; glyco- + -gen

Example Sentences

Inside cellular structures called lysosomes, GAA turns the complex sugar glycogen into glucose, the body’s main source of energy.

From Science News

We also have smaller reserves of energy that are stored in the liver, muscles, and brain as glycogen.

From MIT Technology Review

Studies show that low glycogen can decrease power output even before the dreaded bonk, so it’s important to stay on top of fueling.

From Outside Online

Consume a recovery drink with a quality protein source that will help to inhibit muscle tissue breakdown and encourage muscle tissue build-up, as well as carbohydrates to replenish your glycogen stores.

From Outside Online

Anytime you eat a carb—whether that’s from fruit, bread, or potatoes—your body breaks it down into glucose and either uses it immediately for energy or stores it as glycogen.

From Outside Online

Glycogen is also stored in the muscles, where it is oxidized to release energy when the muscles are exercised.

From Project Gutenberg

This blood is very rich in food materials, and from it the cells of the liver take out sugars to form glycogen.

From Project Gutenberg

These pass through the liver, where, as we have seen, sugar is taken from the blood and stored as glycogen.

From Project Gutenberg

Horse flesh is detected by testing for glycogen, which is present in it in larger quantities than in other meats.

From Project Gutenberg

There exists also in the liver and muscles a non-nitrogenous substance, glycogen, which is detected also in other organs.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cellulose
• glucose
• lactose
• starch
• sugar